Green Fleet

Ford Adds Gaseous Prep Package to 2016 F-150

Ford is re-introducing a gaseous prep package for its 2016 F-150 to enable bi-fuel or dedicated CNG and propane autogas use. The package was last offered with the 2014-MY F-150.

Fleets who order the 2016 F-150 equipped with the 5.0L V-8 engine can have the truck set up to operate as either a bi-fuel or dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) or propane autogas vehicle.

The move follows a customer survey that revealed that 72 percent of customers wanted the gaseous-prep package with the V-8 engine.

Ford had offered a gaseous-prep package on its 2014-MY F-150 that was available with the 3.7L V-6 engine. Ford had partnered with Altech-Eco, who supplied the fueling system. Ford didn't offer a gaseous-prep package on the 2015-MY F-150.

Six Ford QVM partners can set up the vehicles at 36 locations. They include Altech-Eco, based in Asheville, N.C.; IMPCO Automotive, based in Sterling Heights, Mich.; Landi Renzo USA, based in Torrance, Calif.; ROUSH CleanTech, based in Livonia, Mich.; Venchurs Vehicle Systems, based in Adrian, Mich.; and Westport, based in Dallas.

Ford estimates as many as 70 percent of its vehicles purchased with CNG/propane packages are upfit before customers take delivery and another 20 percent are upfit within a year of purchase.

Ford now offers gaseous-prep packages as an option with eight of its vehicles, including the 2.5L DOHC I-4 in Transit Connect; 3.7L Ti-VCT V-6 in Transit; 5.4L V-8 and 6.8L V-10 in E-Series cutaway and stripped chassis; 6.2L V-8 in F-250 and F-350 Super Duty; 6.8L V-10 in F-450 and F-550 Super Duty; 6.8L V-10 in F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis; and 6.8L V-10 in F-650 and F-750 chassis cab.

Lightning Systems’ battery-electric Ford Transit LightningElectric will provide a fuel economy rating of 61 MPGe in the city and 66 MPGe on the highway, according to the vehicle modifier, which will display it for fleets around the U.S. in April and May.

Workhorse showed off its N-GEN electric delivery van, with a range of 100 miles, in San Francisco prior to the launch of its four-vehicle delivery pilot. Read more about the N-GEN here. Photos courtesy of Workhorse and by Thi Dao

The Most Innovative Vehicle award went to Workhorse for its W-15 electric pickup truck, the Most Innovative Safety Product award was presented to J.W. Speaker Corporation for the Model 8910 Evolution 2 LED headlight, and the Most Innovative Truck Equipment honor went to CARR for its Factory Step.